Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 2

(Ayah 2) ➊ In {اِنَّاۤ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ قُرْءٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا …:’’ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ ‘‘}, the pronoun {’’ هٗ ‘‘} refers to {’’ الْكِتٰبِ ‘‘}. This does not mean that this book is only for the people of Arabia and was not revealed for others. The point is that the book sent down for the guidance of all mankind will be in only one human language, and the natural way is either to learn the language of this book or to translate it into another language. Thus, this is the method that has been observed regarding the Qur’an. Therefore, it is being said to the Arabs, who are its first addressees, that We have revealed this book in your own language, not in any other language, so that you cannot present the excuse of not being able to understand it properly. This book is the Arabic Qur’an; Qur’an means “reading,” in the sense of the passive participle, meaning it is such a book that is so much read that its very existence is to be read. In it, there is great instruction for people of understanding.

➋ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Allah Almighty says: «{ اِنَّاۤ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ قُرْءٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُوْنَ }» because the Arabic language is more eloquent, clearer, and broader than all other languages; it expresses the feelings, emotions, subjects, and meanings that arise in the human soul more and better than any other language. Therefore, this is the most noble (having more elevation and honor) book among all books. This book was revealed in the most noble language among all languages, upon the most noble Messenger among all messengers, through the most noble angel among all angels, in the most noble region of the earth, Makkah, in the most noble month of the year, Ramadan, and at its most noble time, Laylat al-Qadr. So, its nobility and being the most noble among all books is perfect in every respect.” A brief detail of this is that the alphabets of many languages range from fifty (50) to eighty (80), whereas the Arabic language has a total of twenty-nine (29) alphabets, which are easy to learn. Despite being extremely easy to learn, the breadth of this language for expressing one’s purpose and inner thoughts is greater than any language in the world. For example, in most languages, the verb forms do not have separate words for masculine or feminine subjects; for example, “he went” and “she went” are both “raft” in Persian and “went” in English. In these languages, separate words have to be brought in to clarify masculine and feminine, nor do these languages clarify dual and plural from the verb itself; for this, too, separate words are needed. In short, the virtues of the Arabic language are a separate subject, on which books by scholars exist.

The Arab nation, due to living in mountains and deserts and being almost always in a state of travel, was a very hardy and self-reliant nation and always remained free from the slavery of others. Although there were countless evils and misguidances among them, such as idol worship, polytheism, oppression, mutual fighting, theft, robbery, gambling, drinking, and adultery, which were common among them, even so, they also possessed many virtues, such as honor, a sense of pride and defense due to tribal life, never accepting slavery in any way, fulfillment of promises, generosity, truthfulness, and, due to being unlettered, an extraordinary memory. In short, that nation also possessed many virtues. Because of the excellence, breadth, and beauty of expression of their language, they called themselves “Arab” (those who express their meaning clearly) and all other nations “Ajam” (mute). Allah Almighty, along with countless other wisdoms, also chose the Arabs for conveying His religion to all the nations of the world because the everlasting miracle of the last Prophet, the Noble Qur’an, was, along with its countless other virtues, also unparalleled in the beauty of expressing its meaning. Therefore, Allah Almighty revealed it in the Arabic language and challenged them to bring a book like it, then to bring ten surahs, and finally to present the example of a small surah of just three verses. To this day, neither the Arabs nor the non-Arabs have been able to answer this challenge, nor will they be able to until the Day of Judgment.